Andy Murray’s Rotterdam hopes came to a crashing end today as the top seed fell to Gilles Simon 6-4, 6-2 in the quarterfinals. Murray, who had shown such promise reaching the Australian Open final, had won 12 straight matches over the Frenchman.

“I struggled with most of the shots, to be honest,” said Murray. “At the beginning of the match my backhand, at the end of the match my forehand. It was tough. I felt I was hitting the ball too early. I felt my timing was a bit off.”

Simon, a former Top 10 player, avoided the dreaded 13th straight loss to a single player.

“It was a great match for me,” said Simon. “I lost 12 times against him, so it was almost an unexpected win. I had a better feeling against him the last two matches I had to play. I was twice one set and a break up, I really felt I was close to win, and I think it helped me to be more confident today.”

“Tomas looked brilliant today,” said Simon who has won six of nine against Berdych. “He played a perfect match against Gael. I watched it all and it was really impressive. We know that Tomas is a really good player, and he’s an even better player indoor. He’s defending champion, so it’s going to be a tough match. I have a good record against him and I just hope I’m going to play a very nice match. If I play my best tennis I know I have a chance.”

During the loss, Monfils had a nice moment of sportsmanship in the second set after Berdych took this tumble:

In the other semi, Stan Warwinka will take on Milos Raonic. The Swiss ended the run of Gilles Muller while Raonic needed three to put away Sergiy Stakhovsky.

“This was my best match of the week, for sure,” said Wawrinka. “I was feeling great on the court. It’s never easy to play against Gilles. He’s serving big. It’s a lot of pressure. You know you’re not going to have a lot of chance to break him, but I’m really happy with my game. I was moving well, serving well, playing aggressive and it was really a good match.”

In Memphis, Donald Young advanced to the semifinals with a good 7-6, 4-6, 7-5 win over Bernard Tomic. The American will meet Kevin Anderson, a victor over Steve Johnson.

“I got a little nervous there at the end, but I was happy to come through,” said The Donald. “Anytime you make the weekend, you’re playing well. I made the weekend; it hasn’t happened too often in my career, so when it happens I’m very excited. Hopefully it can happen more, but this is happening for the first time this year, so I’m excited.”

Want to stay positive, balanced, without any overreaction to either end of the spectrum (positive/negative) but the statistic of winning only 27% on 2nd serves in this loss just continues a long running, troublesome trend.

It’s just not good enough. There’s no escaping that fact.Top returners butcher weak 2nd serve’s and as long as Andy continues to sport one he will continue to lose matches to such players most of the time.

It’s a glaring weakness, and I think most of the locker room is aware of this opportunity and will make him pay for it as long as he continues to serve as such.

– Tomas:

Win in Doha, SF at AO (whilst beating Nadal along the way) and impressive, gutsy Tennis here: I think Berdych is a early contender for the most improving player of the season so far.

His performance, on court stability is quite impressive so far this year. But more than anything: he seems like a hungry player who thinks he can win big titles, big matches, ought to and is now willing to fight for it.

I think Tomas will have a impressive season with a MS win being something I would not surprised with at all.

– Stan the man:

Ditto Tomas assessment:

W at Chennai, SF loss to Novak but in a 5 set match, losing his title but not before he put up a excellent defense of it. And now in Rotterdam playing excellent, focused Tennis and just feeling good on court.

I think Wawa is switched, and for me when that is the case the gap between him and I suppose the marketed top 4 we all know really is close to nil.

His outstanding hitting in AO was impressive: further incourt than previously seen from him, and I think if Stanimal is inside the baselines rather than behind the line, with his power, shot making ability from either wing he can dictate the match against anyone I feel.

He has impressed me with how he’s performing consistently so far this year like a genuine top player is expected to do so.

– La Monf:

Bravo Gail on the sporting gesture. An instance of which the inner quality of a individual was revealed and in Gail’s case: a lovely, warm- hearted individual!

`Want to stay positive, balanced, without any overreaction to either end of the spectrum (positive/negative) but the statistic of winning only 27% on 2nd serves in this loss just continues a long running, troublesome trend..`

Oh so WHAT?
Big deal, he’s out of Rotterdam playing some dodgy tennis after a break.
It doesn’t mean anything!

CDP not many do like Berdych for some reason me niether,i doubt you will ever see any fans of his blogging on this forum any time soon,probably feel like they will be on a hiding to nothing,as these forums seem to be quite cliquey,and only made with certain fan groups in mind….

I’m used to being the member of the smallest (pure) clique, so that wouldn’t be an issue for me.
I just don’t think he has many full on fans to merit a fan presence really.
Outside of Czech Land.
I’ve seen him on twitter however and he certainly comes across well on that.
You never really know what people are like beyond their public identity unless you’re face to face with them, and even then…..
As for GS chances he does seem to eventually mentally crumble in best of 5 (which is always the key) but this year his best bet would be the US in my view.

I just think its a shame that you dont actually see many fans of other players,but its as i say they dont really fit in with the criteria that goes with these forums which are only made with the top players in mind,but it is what it is so moving on….

Anyway agree about Tomas,whom has all the talent and the tools against the top players,but somehow lacks the belief between the ears,where sometimes you have to beat two or even three of the top players,ala Wimbledon 2010,Roger,Novak then he ran out of steam against Rafa in the final….

i guess i am one of the few who rather likes tomas berdych, aka big bird. btw, it’s worth looking at the atp site to see “big bird” pictured with some of the other sesame street characters, lol. i think berdych has done some questionable things on court, and he’s definitely a quirky character, as his twitter feed shows, but i also think he’s sometimes misunderstood.

anyhow, if stan can beat raonic (they’re 5 all in set 1 as i type) we could see a rotterdamn final between the vanquished australian open semifinalists which could be good.

As fans we like to see our favorites making finals,but i suppose it is quite refreshing to see other players winning titles for a change too,no Novak,Andy,Rafa,Roger in the USO final,most unusual to see not one but two different finalists,guaranteeing a brand new GS champion,call me cynical but they dont seem to get much credit for it,people seem to say its due to the big four not been at their best,injured,or old etc….

When Berdych played with Lendel at Queens in 2013 raising money for that Ross Hutchins charity match,when interviewed he was talking about Esther,and came across as warm and friendly,hes also quite funny on Psuedo Fed so ive heard,his off court persona is quite nice,seems completely different to his on court persona which i find quite cold….